Control device for elevator

ABSTRACT

In an elevator controlling apparatus, a first suspension member and a second suspension member are fixed to a guide rail at a vertical interval. A control panel can be suspended from either a first or second suspension member. Thus, the control panel can be moved between a operation position at a first height from a bottom portion of a hoistway and a maintenance position lower than a operation position. A junction box is fixed on a hoistway wall. The junction box and the control panel are connected to each other through flexible cables.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a controlling apparatus for anelevator, disposed within a hoistway for controlling the operation of anelevator.

BACKGROUND ART

In a conventional elevator apparatus, since the drive machine, controlpanel and the like are installed in a machine room provided on an upperportion of a hoistway, it is necessary to provide a space for themachine room at an uppermost portion of a building. The utilityefficiency of the building is consequently degraded and the height ofthe building is increased. In contrast, for example, there is proposedan elevator apparatus in which the drive machine is disposed in ahoistway to thereby dispense with a machine room. Concomitant with this,the control panel also has to be installed within the hoistway.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-10437 andJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-114481 discloses anelevator apparatus in which a control panel is disposed within ahoistway. However, in these apparatuses, since the control panel isfixed to the bottom of the hoistway, if water or the like enters thehoistway and accumulates in the bottom portion, if is possible that thecontrol panel could be damaged and cease to function properly as aresult of being lowered into the water.

On the other hand, in the elevator apparatus disclosed in JapaneseUtility Model Application Laid-Open No. 63-180669, the control panel ismoveably supported to a mounting bracket through rails and guidemembers. However, in this apparatus, the control panel is disposed in amachine room above the hoistway, and in addition, the control panel isonly movable in a horizontal direction. Consequently, even if such asupport structure was to be applied to the bottom portion of thehoistway, it would be impossible to avoid immersing the control panel inany water that had accumulated.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-noted defect, an object of the present invention isto provide an elevator controlling apparatus in which a control panel isdisposed within a hoistway to make it possible to decrease the height ofa building and to prevent water from entering the control panel.

According to the present invention, there is provided an elevatorcontrolling apparatus comprising: a support mechanism provided within ahoistway; and a control panel for controlling the operation of anelevator, said control panel being supported in a normal position at apredetermined height from a bottom portion of the hoistway by thesupport mechanism and movable vertically between the normal position anda maintenance position lower than the normal position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an elevator controlling apparatus inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 duringmaintenance operations;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a maintenance mode selection relaycircuit of the controlling apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an elevator controlling apparatus inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view showing an elevator controlling apparatus inaccordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of a hoistway in which theapparatus shown in FIG. 8 is installed;

FIG. 11 is a front view showing an elevator controlling apparatus inaccordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing another example of a rail bracket shownin FIG. 12.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A preferable embodiment of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an elevator controlling apparatus inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is aside elevational view showing the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is aplan view showing the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and FIG. 4 is a frontview showing the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 during maintenanceoperations.

In the drawings, a guide rail 3 for guiding the ascent/descent of a car2 which is an ascending/descending body is installed within a hoistway1. A first suspension member 4 extending horizontally is fixed to theguide rail 3. Also, a second suspension member 5 extending in thehorizontal direction is fixed below the first suspension member 4 of theguide rail 3. A support mechanism 6 is composed of the first and secondsuspension members 4 and 5. Recessed portions 4 a and 5 a are formed ontop surfaces of the first and second suspension members 4 and 5respectively.

A control panel 7 for controlling the operation of the elevator issuspended selectively from one of the first and second suspensionmembers 4 and 5. In other words, the control panel 7 may readily bemoved between a normal position (in FIG. 1) at a predetermined heightfrom a bottom portion 1 a of the hoistway 1 and a maintenance position(FIG. 4) lower than the normal position. Also, the control panel has adoor 7 a which is provided on a front surface thereof so as to becapable of opening and closing, a door detection switch 7 b fordetecting whether the door 7 a is closed, and a hook 7 c to be hooked ona recessed portion 4 a or 5 a.

A junction box 8 for connecting the transmission of a signal or electricpower between each instrument of the elevator and the control panel 7 isfixed to the hoistway wall 1 b. The junction box 8 and the control panel7 are electrically connected to each other through a plurality offlexible cables 9. The cables 9 are suspended between the junction box 8and the control panel 7 so that their intermediate portions may be in aU-shape and have sufficient length to allow the movement of the controlpanel 7.

A switch operating cam 10 is fixed to a side wall of the control panel7. A position detecting switch 11 operated by the switch operating cam10 for detecting whether the control panel 7 is located in the normalportion is mounted on the first suspension member 4. The positiondetecting switch 11 is electrically connected to the control panel 7through a signal cable 12 and the junction box 8.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a maintenance mode selection relaycircuit of the controlling apparatus shown in FIG. 1. A contact 7 s ofthe door detection switch 7 b to be closed when the door 7 b is closedand a contact 11 s of the position detecting switch 11 to be closed whenthe control panel 7 is located in the normal position are connected inseries with each other to a relay 13 for switching the operation mode ofthe elevator to the maintenance mode. Then, when the relay 13 is notmagnetically excited, the operation mode of the elevator is switched tothe maintenance mode. In the maintenance mode, the lowermost descendingposition of the car 2 is restricted, and at the same time, theascending/descending speed of the car 2 is switched to a so-calledmanual speed which is lower than a rated speed.

In such an elevator, since the control panel 7 is disposed within thehoistway 1, the machine room may be dispensed with and the height of thebuilding may be reduced. Also, since the control panel 7 is normallysupported in the normal position; at a predetermined height from thebottom portion 1 a of the hoistway 1, the control panel 7 is preventedfrom being immersed in any water that may accumulate in the bottomportion 1 a of the hoistway 1, thereby enhancing reliability.Furthermore, since the control panel 7 may readily be moved to themaintenance position in the maintenance mode, maintenance operations arenever obstructed.

Moreover, since the control panel 7 and the junction box 8 are connectedto each other through the flexible cables 9, the transmission ofelectric power and signals will not be interrupted, even if the controlpanel 7 is moved. Also, since the junction box 8 is installed within thehoistway 1, the length of the flexible cables 9 may be kept to aminimum, and the junction box 8 and other elevator instruments may beconnected to each other through less expensive connecting wire.

Also, since the door detection switch 7 b for detecting theopening/closing of the door 7 a is provided on the control panel 7, andthe mode of operation is switched to the maintenance mode when the door7 a is opened, the car 2 is prevented from colliding with the door 7 a.Furthermore, since the position detecting switch 11 is mounted on thefirst suspension member 4 and the operation mode is switched to themaintenance mode when the control panel 7 is moved from the normalposition, it is possible to automatically restrict the lowermostdescending position of the car 2 during maintenance operations.

Moreover, since the support mechanism 6 is fixed to the guide rail 3,which is one of the more rigid structural members within the hoistway 1and which is installed with high precision, the control panel 7 may besecurely installed with high precision.

Further, in the first embodiment, the first and second suspensionmembers 4 and 5 are fixed to the guide rail 3. However, it is possible,for instance, to attach the first and second suspension members 4 and 5to a support post fixed in the bottom section 1 a as separate from theguide rail 3.

Second Embodiment

Next, FIG. 6 is a front view showing an elevator controlling apparatusin accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 7 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6. In the drawings,a support member 21 extending in a horizontal direction is fixed to aguide rail 3. A fixing member 22 extending in the horizontal directionis fixed below the support member 21 of the guide rail 3.

A pair of control panel rails 23 extending in parallel with the guiderail 3 are fixed to the support member 21 and the fixing member 22. Thelower end portions of the control panel rails 23 are in contact with abottom portion 1 a of a hoistway 1. A plurality of guide members 24which are engaged with the control panel rails 23 are mounted on acontrol panel 7. With such an arrangement, the control panel 7 may bemoved up and down along the control panel rails 23.

A lifting device 26 is mounted on the support member 21 through amounting member 25 having an L-shaped cross-section. Normally, thecontrol panel 7 is lifted to the normal position shown in FIG. 6 by thelifting device 26. The lifting device 26 has, for example, a wire rope26 a for suspending the control panel 7 and a winding portion (bobbin)26 b for winding the wire rope 26 a against the gravitational forceacting on the control panel 7. For example, a spiral spring (not shown)is provided in the winding portion 26 b. The winding portion 26 b has,for example, a structure like hangers for suspending electric powertools in factories.

A maintenance position holding mechanism 27 retained by the fixingmember 22 for holding the control panel 7 in the maintenance positionlower than the normal position is provided on the control panel 7. Asupport mechanism 28 according to this second embodiment is composed ofthe support member 21, the mounting member 25 and the lifting device 26.Apart from this, the structure is the same as that of the firstembodiment.

In such a controlling apparatus, it is possible to prevent the controlpanel 7 from being immersed in water in the normal condition and toenhance the maintenance workability by lowering the control panel 7 downto the maintenance position in the maintenance mode. Also, since thecontrol panel 7 can be raised/lowered between the normal position andthe maintenance position along the control panel rail 23, it is possibleto prevent swinging and rotation of the control panel 7 during movementto thereby allow smooth movement of the control panel 7.

Also, since an upward force from the lifting device 26 is always appliedto the control panel 7, irrespective of the weight of the control panel7, it is possible to readily raise/lower the control panel 7 and toenhance workability. In particular, since the lifting force from thelifting device 26 is set to be greater than the gravitational forceacting on the control panel 7, it is possible to readily return theheavy control panel 7 from the maintenance position to the normalposition.

Furthermore, since the maintenance position holding mechanism 27 isprovided on the control panel 7, it is possible to readily hold thecontrol panel 7 at the maintenance position during maintenanceoperations to thereby enhance workability.

In addition, the lifting force applied by the lifting device 26 may beset to be smaller than the gravitational force acting on the controlpanel 7. However, in this case, a holding mechanism for holding thecontrol panel 7 in the normal position in the normal mode is required.

Also, the lifting device is not limited to a type for winding a wirerope. It is also possible to use a pantograph-type lifting device inwhich, for example, the support member and the control panel areconnected to each other by an extendable link mechanism having apantograph shape and a spring force is applied in a direction in whichthe link mechanism is retracted.

Furthermore, it is possible to dispense with the control panel rail. Forexample, in cases where a pantograph-type lifting device is used, sincethe lifting device also serves as a guide mechanism, it is possible todispense with the control panel rail.

Furthermore, it is possible to attach a drive device such as a motor orthe like to the support member 21 and thereby raise on lower the controlpanel 7 along the control panel rail 23 utilizing the drive force of thedrive device.

Third Embodiment

Next, FIG. 8 is a front view showing an elevator controlling apparatusin accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is ahorizontal sectional view of a hoistway in which the apparatus shown inFIG. 8 is installed. In the drawings, a rotatable pulley 32 is mountedthrough a mounting member 31 to a support member 21. A control panelsuspension rope 33 is wound around the pulley 32. The control panel 7 issuspended at one end portion of the control panel suspension rope 33. Acontrol panel counter-weight 34 that is heavier than the control panel 7is suspended at the other end portion of the control panel suspensionrope 33.

A support mechanism 35 according to the third embodiment 3 is composedof the support member 21, the mounting member 31, the pulley 32, thecontrol panel suspension rope 33 and the control panel counter-weight34. The other structure is the same as that of the second embodiment.

In such a controlling apparatus, it is possible to prevent the controlpanel 7 from being immersed in any water during normal operation and toenhance the maintenance workability by lowering the control panel 7 downto the maintenance position in the maintenance mode. Also, since anupward force from the control panel counter-weight 34 is always appliedto the control panel 7, irrespective of the weight of the control panel7, it is possible to readily raise/lower the control panel 7 to enhanceworkability. In particular, since the weight of the control panelcounter-weight 34 is set to be greater than the weight of the controlpanel 7, it is possible to readily return the heavy control panel 7 fromthe maintenance position to the normal position.

Furthermore, since the maintenance position holding mechanism 27 isprovided on the control panel 7, it is possible to readily hold thecontrol panel 7 at the maintenance position during maintenanceoperations to thereby enhance workability.

In addition, the weight of the control panel counter-weight 34 may alsobe set to be smaller than the weight of the control panel 7. However, inthis case, a holding mechanism for holding the control panel 7 in thenormal position in the normal mode is required. Also, by providingholding mechanisms for the control panel 7 at the normal and maintenancepositions respectively. The weight of the control panel counter-weight34 may be set to be the same as the weight of the control panel 7.

Furthermore, a drive device such as a motor or the like may be installedin or connected to the pulley 32 so that the control panel 7 may beraised or lowered by the drive force of the drive device.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, FIG. 11 is a front view showing an elevator controlling apparatusin accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 12 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 11. In thisexample, an upper end portion of a control panel rail 23 and a mountingmember 31 are fixed to a rail bracket 41 on a rail side for fixing aguide rail 3 to a hoistway wall 1 b. The rail bracket 41 on the railside also serves as a support member. In addition, a lower end portionof the control panel rail 23 is fixed to a bottom portion rail bracket42 for fixing the lower end portion of the guide rail 3 to a bottomportion 1 a of a hoistway 1. The bottom portion rail bracket 42 alsoserves as a fixing member.

In the case where the guide rail 3 is installed within the hoistway 1, awall side rail bracket 43 is first of all fixed; to the hoistway wall 1b through an anchor bolt. Next, the rail side rail bracket 41 and thebottom portion rail bracket 42 are tentatively retained at the guiderail 3 to thereby center guide rail 3. Thereafter, the rail side railbracket 41 is welded to the wall side rail bracket 43 and at the sametime, the bottom portion rail bracket 42 is fixed to the bottom portion1 a of the hoistway 1. Then, the rail side rail bracket 41 and thebottom portion rail bracket 42 are firmly fixed to the guide rail 3.

In such a controlling apparatus, it is possible to prevent the controlpanel 7 from being immersed in any water under normal conditions and toenhance the maintenance workability by lowering the control panel 7 downto the maintenance position in the maintenance mode. Also, since therail brackets 41 and 42 are utilized as the support member and thefixing member, it is possible to reduce the number of components andfacilitate installation work.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, the rail bracket 41 having anL-shaped cross-section is used as the support member. However, as shownin FIG. 13, a rail bracket 44, for example, having a hat-likecross-section may be utilized as the support member.

The rail bracket may also be utilized as both the suspension members 4and 5 of the first embodiment and as the support member 21 and thefixing member 22 of the second embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. An elevator controlling apparatus comprising: asupport mechanism located within a hoistway having a bottom Portion; anda control panel for controlling an operation of an elevator, saidcontrol panel being supported in an operation position at a first heightabove the bottom portion of the hoistway by said support mechanism, saidcontrol panel being movable up and down between the operation positionand a maintenance position lower than the operation position.
 2. Theelevator control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising aposition detecting switch for detecting whether said control panel islocated in the operation position, the operation mode of the elevatorbeing switched to a maintenance mode and a lowermost descending positionof a car being restricted when said control panel is moved from saidoperation position in response to detection by the position detectionswitch.
 3. The elevator control apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid control panel has an openable door and a door detection switch fordetecting whether the door is open or closed, the elevator beingswitched to the maintenance mode and a lowermost descending position ofascending and descending body being restricted when said door is open.4. The elevator control apparatus according to claim 1, including aguide rail disposed within the hoistway for guiding raising and loweringof an ascending and descending body, said support mechanism being fixedto said guide rail.
 5. The elevator controlling apparatus according toclaim 4, wherein said support mechanism has a support member fixed tosaid guide rail and extending in a direction perpendicular to said guiderail, said support member also serving as a rail bracket for fixing saidguide rail to a hoistway wall.
 6. The elevator controlling apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said support mechanism has a firstsuspension member for suspending said control panel in the operationposition and a second suspension member disposed below said firstsuspension member for suspending said control panel in the maintenanceposition, said control panel being selectively hooked to said first andsecond suspension members.
 7. The elevator controlling apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a control panel rail fixedwithin the hoistway for guiding raising and lowering of said controlpanel.
 8. The elevator control apparatus according to claim 7, includinga support member fixing said control panel rail to said control panelrail in a direction perpendicular to said control panel rail, and saidsupport member also serving as a rail bracket for fixing said controlpanel rail to a hoistway wall.
 9. The elevator controlling apparatusaccording to claim 7, further comprising a drive device for moving saidcontrol panel up and down along said control panel rail.
 10. Theelevator controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidsupport mechanism has a lifting device for lifting said control panelagainst gravity to the operation position.
 11. The elevator controllingapparatus according to claim 10, wherein a lifting force from saidlifting device is greater than the gravitational force applied to saidcontrol panel, and including a maintenance position holding mechanismfor holding said control panel in the maintenance position located insaid control panel.
 12. The elevator control apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said support mechanism has a rotatable pulley, acontrol panel suspension rope wound around said pulley for suspendingsaid control panel at a first end of said control panel suspension rope,and a control panel counter-weight suspended at a second end of saidcontrol panel suspension rope.
 13. The elevator controlling apparatusaccording to claim 1 further comprising a junction box fixed on ahoistway wall for connecting each instrument of the elevator and saidcontrol panel, to flexible cables suspended between said junction boxand said control panel so that their intermediate portions are in aU-shaped form, electrically connecting said junction box and saidcontrol panel to each other.